Colorado's Community Mental Health System is actively working to meet the diverse

needs of people who need mental health and substance use treatment in the community,

while continuing to build a vision for the future of healthcare delivery. Today’s challeng-

ing economic environment means healthcare providers need to be innovative, collaborative

and frugal to ensure that the necessary treatment and supports are available to those who

need mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

In tough budgetary times it is crucial that the new administration, legislators, employers,

and the public understand the importance of not reducing coverage for people who need

behavioral health services. Reduced funding for necessary treatment and prevention re-

stricts access to care, forces people into more expensive systems, and significantly in-

creases overall health care costs.

2003 and 2004 saw major cuts to mental health and substance use disorder treatment fund-

ing. The end result was that prisons, jails, homeless shelters, and emergency rooms suf-

fered a huge influx in the number of people with untreated mental health and substance

abuse disorders taking up their available beds. Treating people in these more expensive

settings comes with a huge financial and personal cost. Additionally, recent studies show

that costs almost double to treat a physical health condition if the person also has an un-

treated mental health or substance use disorder. These facts cannot be ignored.

Behavioral health is essential health care and providers can save the State precious re-

sources, as well as improve both outcomes and satisfaction for those we serve. CBHC is

here to help educate you about the behavioral health system in Colorado and our ongoing

role in the evolution of healthcare in this state. To this end, please explore the resources at

www.cbhc.org and contact us to learn how you too can help affect positive change.

Thank you for your time and please contact us if you

have any questions ~

George DelGrosso, Executive Director

Contact Information:

George DelGrosso

Executive Director

gdelgrosso@cbhc.org

Terri Hurst, MSW

Director of Public Policy

thurst@cbhc.org

Brian Turner

Public Policy Specialist

bturner@cbhc.org

CBHC

1410 Grant St. A-301

Denver, CO 80203

Tel: 303-832-7594

Fax: 303-830-7132

www.cbhc.org

Dear Legislator:

CBHC 2011 Behavioral Health Platform

CMHCs serve a wide variety of populations & provide a multitude of services which include Case Management, Individual & Group

Therapy, Medication Management., jail diversion programs, and substance use disorder treatment. The services provided at CMHCs

allow consumers & their families to receive appropriate treatment & recovery services to meet their needs.

Community Mental Health Centers served over 105,000 unduplicated consumers in FY’09-’10

CMHCs have seen

an increase of

approximately 20%

in service delivery

over the previous

year.

CBHC 2011 Behavioral Health Platform

During the 1st half of FY10-11, CMHCs have

seen a 57% increase over FY09-10 numbers of services provided to

those enrolled in CHP+

Developing integrated service delivery systems with mental health/substance use & other health

systems.

Full & comprehensive mental health & substance use disorder benefits that include screening,

prevention, & early intervention.

A carved out mental health system focused on integrating service delivery with both healthcare &

human services while protecting behavioral health funding .

Technology & health information exchanges are best used to enhance

& support the highest quality services & health outcomes.

Behavioral Health Organizations (BHOs) are

the state’s Medicaid mental health managed

care companies & last year they managed a

pool of 531,000 Medicaid eligible

Goals & Priorities C

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Behavioral Health

Organizations per

capita costs have

declined over 11%

in the past 3 years

saving the state

over $31 million a

year.

65% of all US inmates meet the medical criteria for drug and/or alcohol addiction.

Every $1 spent on treatment provides a taxpayer return of $7 compared to a return of

40 cents for every $1 spent on incarceration.

The percentage of people with serious mental illnesses has more than doubled between

1990 and 2008 and has continued to grow to approximately 19% of the total prison

population.

Appropriate treatment is effective in reducing recidivism.

CBHC 2011 Behavioral Health Platform

The Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 membership organization

that represents Colorado’s statewide network of community mental health providers, which includes 17

community mental health centers (CMHCs), 2 specialty clinics – Asian Pacific & Servicios de la Raza -

and the 5 Behavioral Health Organizations (BHOs).

Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council

Organization

Comprehensive Coverage for Behavioral Health

CBHC membership serves as the behavioral healthcare safety net for a

large portion of Coloradans whose numbers continue to increase.

Most people do not have adequate coverage for behavioral healthcare services, meaning mental health & substance use

disorder treatment. Despite progress at both the state & federal level, many Coloradans do not have access to

comprehensive healthcare services.

Unfortunately, the behavioral health system has historically been grossly underfunded leaving a large unmet need. With

the ongoing economic situation in Colorado, more people are suffering from the emotional strain of unemployment &

economic instability, resulting in an increased and ongoing need for behavioral health services.

Providing adequate behavioral health coverage & benefits to ensure community-based access to services is not only

essential in creating a healthy community, but also saves the state and local governments money from the inappropriate

use of services in emergency rooms and reliance on the criminal justice system.

Colorado’s community mental health centers, clinics, and behavioral health organizations are continuing to work with

local partners to develop innovative approaches to provide wellness programs & create opportunities to ensure the

behavioral healthcare needs of families & individuals are met.